Pages

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The University of Oregon has been given three years of probation and scholarship reductions as penalties stemming from recruiting violations under former head coach Chip Kelly.

The NCAA issued its findings on Wednesday, saying the school improperly used a recruiting service provider, who became a representative of the university's athletics interests.

Kelly, who left the school in January to take the vacancy with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, was also cited for failure to monitor the football program. He was given an 18-month show-cause order, which would require any school wanting to hire him to appear before the NCAA.

"I want to apologize to the University of Oregon, all of its current and
former players and their fans," Kelly said in a statement released. "I accept my
share of responsibility for the actions that led to the penalties. As I
have I stated before, the NCAA investigation and subsequent ruling had
no impact on my decision to leave Oregon for Philadelphia."

The NCAA's investigation stemmed from Oregon's ties to a recruiting service run by Willie Lyles.

Wednesday's release said Lyles began assisting the university's football program in May 2008 and provided a prospect with lodging and training, as well as cash. He also engaged in impermissible calls and off-campus contacts with potential prospects, their families and high school coaches.

Kelly went 46-7 and led Oregon to a BCS bowl game in each of his four years with the school.